THE MOTOR WORLD

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 9 May 1925, Page 12

THE MOTOR WORLD

i _ . NOTES. Tli© motor vehicles °f Ha worn at® rapidly getting amir now number* lixeci ana miiouc conversant with. most oi tne old mie nuinoors misses txie oid laniiliar sign ana mated sometimes lias Hesitation in picking out ms own car ir it snoultl Happen to be amongst a number or others of the same orami. There is no clouot at ah or the gentiniue regret at losing these district sions-and numbers and oi tne iact that ithere will be a strong demand lot then restoration alter the lirst year oi the new order or tilings. Change js- often advisable and good, is welcomed, but the alteration made uv the Uove run lent, tnoagu possitny enough unavoidable under the circumstances, was not by any means popular. Many or the Automobile Associations have made that quite clear.

When attaching a temporary covering to the radiator core, be sure to protect the bottom ot the radiator first. Ihe coolest water is always at the bottom, and freezing is thereioro most likely to occur at tnat point. The circulating system operates in such a way as to draw from the bottom of the radiator and return to the top. You even up by keeping the lower part better than Lae upper. If you have attached your radiator! shutter device rather hastily and have not provided lor sufficient leverage to .enable you to open the shutters wide (from the instrument board control), do not go to the trouble df taking it oif again and trying .for an ideal adjustment. If the shutters open three-qtiarters, experiments show, the engine will keep almost as cool as though they opened wide.' The draught of gir seems to be the same, merely entering the radiator core on a slant instead of straight. For winter driving it makes no difference.

On many cars the strips of canvas tape threaded round the liange of the radiator and scuttle on which the bonnet* is supported prove inadequate as cushions for preventing rattle, and the noise occasioned is a source of annoyance to the driver and occupants of the car. The tape in. itself is insufficient for the purpose, and in time it is flattened down to such an extent or _ becomes so worn that the metal portions it is designed to keep separated touch. As soon as the metal contact is made the humming commences, and generally increases through wear or further bedding of the tape. A good plan to prevent the rattle is to supplement the tape by'inserting under each loop of tape a small piece of felt 1-inch thick; it will • bed down with the pressure of the: bonnet. Thus held securely it will be found effective, and be much neater than are pieces of rubber or felt merely inserted between, the bonnet and the flange.

-MOTOR TEST ROAD. A long stretch oi main road, built parallel to one of uio count s great trims, roads, and maintained soieiy xor experimental purposes, is loresiiadoweci in a mu tlie Minister ot Transport will shortly introduce in the muisn House ot commons. The Minister believes that only by. such a test road can experiments on the durability and skidding propensities of the various surlace materials be correctly gauged. To obtain power to go forwuid with this scheme is one ox the objects ol his Roads Improvement Hill. Traffic will be diverted to the test road from the adjoining highway, and a record kept oi the number and characteristics of the vehicles which use it. \\ lien a trial section has been worn, or has served its purpose, the test road will be closed while another type of material is laid, traffic resuming its course along the old highway.

THE PETROL INDUSTRY

ITS BIRTH IN GREAT BRITAIN

How many motorists know that the petroleum and mineral oil industry had its birth in Great Britain.

If they think at all of the first time the liquid fuel which drives their cars appeared their thought ffv to the huge oil fields of America, Persia, Russia, and the Dutch East Indies. Yet the fact remains that neither petroleum nor mineral oils were commercial products before the Scottish mineral oil industry was started in 1851, although they had been used medicinially to a very limited extent previous to that event. 1

The man whom we owe the first discovery was Dr. James Young, the son of of a cabinet maker in Glasgow. He studied chemistry at evening classes, and so equipped himself for a post in one of the large cliemieol works then operating in the Manchester district, i While there his attention was drawn j by another Scotsman, Dr. Lyon Playfair, to a seepage of oil in a Derbyi shire coal mine. | As the sources of animal and vegetable oils then used for lubrication and lighting were proving equal to the demands being made upon them, it was thought that this mineral oil might proivde a supplement. Young devised means of converting it into efficient lubricants,' and iluminants, but this method was no more than established when sources of the oil came to an end. He, however, formed the opinion that the oil had been derived from coal bv underground heat, and working on* tliis theory, he sought for some species of coal from which oil might be prepared artificially. Later on further seams were found and an extensive plant was erected to produce mineral oils, and thus wa.s started the Scottish Oil Industry which j employs some 10,000 people to-day. i

N UMBER PLATES TO BE MADE IN DOMINION. The question of the future Dominion policy in regard to number plates for motor vehicles will be discussed at a conference between the motoring and local bodies and the Government departments concerned. Following is a copy of a letter forwarded by the -Minister of internal Affairs, the Mou. R. E. Bollard, to the two motor unions :-

"1 have to state, for the information of your union, that suggestions have received regarding the use ol number plates for motor vehicles from some local bodies and other organisations, urging that the number plates should not be renewed annually as proposed, but that the English system ol having license affixed in some part ol the motor vehicle should be adopted. Others suggest that something indicating the year should lie- affixed to the number plate, with a view of obviating the annual charge of such plate, while ot-Hors suggest that letters indicating the provincial district or highway district should be inserted on the number plate. “I have therefore to inform you that it is proposed to call for tenders within the Dominion for the future supply of number plates, but before calling for such tenders it is essential that a decision should be come to as to the system to be adopted in the future regarding such number plates, in order that the matter might be fully considered by those interested, I have decided to call a conference of representatives of the North and South Island Motor Unions, New Zealand Motor Trade Association executives of municipal and counties’ associations, together with the interested Government departments 1 shall be glad if y<hi will arrange for your union to consider the matter, and appoint a representative, or representatives, to be present at such conference. In conclusion, I desire to state that the conference in question will deal only with matters affecting the svsteni to be adopted in future regarding the use of motor registration plates.” The representatives will be appointed by the unions, and it is to he hoped that the conference will result in the 'dissatisfaction now felt in respect of the number plates being removed. The statement that in future the number plates are to be made in the Dominion will be pleasing to most people, who feel that it is a pity so much money should go out of New Zealand for an article which, they state, can be very well produced here.

THE NUMBER PLATES. OPINION OF CALIFORNIAN MOTORIST. Writing from California a resident, who is a motorist sends to a friend in Christchurch an extract from the San Francisco Chronicle regarding the number plates. That paper says : “The Automobile Association of California had something to say regarding the number plates which have been issued tor the current year, and which, it is understood, are identical in quality to the New Zealand plates. The

association stated that the plates are of such poor quality that they are not ht to be seen on a decent car, and it is urging the authorities to have better arrangements made for the future.” When the clipping was shown to the president of the (Christchurch Automobile Association, lie said that the motorists of New Zealand would rather uav a reasonable price for a presentable jilate on a permanent basis, rather than continue to pay the smallest possible amount for a plate which has laised protests from the motoring organisation of California. ‘‘Under the above circumstances,” he added, ‘‘the suggestion that I made that the prefix N.Z., having useful purpose in giving a distinctive number to cars during this year lor /registration purposes, could now be dispensed with, and the lists in the possession of the Postal Department could be revised on a district basis to cover any districts desired, such as highway or’ police districts, whichever are thought to be the most suitable. A ’district prolix could then lie issued, together with a permanent number plate, oh the payment of next year’s license fee. The plate could be of soffice ruly good quality to see the life of the' ear out.”

A NOVEL ROAD. Some time ago the Foxton Harbour Board roughly formed a roadway leading from the old river bed to the Manawatu Heads on to the ocean beach. The method of formation was the placing of flax on top of the sand. The flax has now formed a fairly good, though somewhat rough surface, but cars can easily negotiate the strip of sand between the sandhills now, and numbers of cars lind their way out to the firm sand for a spin along the beach. One motoring enthusiast, has made the trip along the beach to Rangitikei in his car and says the going is good right up to the mouth of the Rangitikei River. The Koputara creek forms no obstacle, as the sand at this point is quite hard and the depth of the water is only about two inches. A REVIVED ASSOCIATION. The Ashburton branch of the C.A.A. which has been practically moribund for some years, has taken a new lease of life, and there is now every indication that it will shortly take its place as one of the active' organisations affiliated with the South Island Motor Union. The Council of the C.A.A. reeentlv decided to place an agent in the district to canvass for members, and this step has more than justified the wisdom of the Council’s decision. FAILING TO REGISTER. The first case of failing to register a motor-car under the new Act came betore the Magistrate’s Court at Gisborne last week. Counsel tor the defendant said he understood lhe case was the first i u New Zealand under the new Act, and the defendant was particularly ’ unfortunate in being caught, as he had not had the ea r out since January. A line of 10s and costs 7s was imposed.

BRITISH CARS. A RADICAL IMPERIALIST. A radical Imperialist and sound apostle of the gospel or British goods for the British is Air. V. A. Priest, export manager of one of the largest and best known English works. British cars had a big set-back owing to the war ; for some years the Homeland was unable to supply cars, and competitors took advantage oi the position and established themselves very firmly and Hooded the. markets with cheaper mass production cars. .Statistics showed that the British car in Australia and New Zealand was increasing. rapidly. The chief cry against British car s in the past had neen that the manufacturers did r not cater for the particular requirements of districts concerned; but every British manufacturer of note now supplied the proper track, clearance and other details necessary for the conditions of tne country. .Mr, Priest said that he had toured extensively in this island and the north, and the colonial models of British cars met every touring requirement. The only thing now necessary was tor British cars to come down to pre-war level in juice. it would never be possible to puy highgrade British cars at the price of the mass production car of other countries. The millenium of trade would come only with Imperial federation, with free trade ' between all parts oi' the Empire. Australia and New Zealand were destined to lie the best export markets in the world for British cars. The Imperial spirit had to grow. LEAP FOR LIFE. CAUGHT *BY TRAIN AT CROSSING. With brakes that would not act, and a collision with the Sydney express inevitable at a level crossing at Wangaratta recently, John Tipjiett jumped from his motor-cycle. , The cycle and sidecar were caught by the speeding express in the centre of the track, hurled 3U yards through a fence, and smashed into fragments. Tippett was uninjured. Four persons have been killed at this crossing. THE PARSON’S CAR. HOW HE LEARNED TO DRIVE. The Rev. Mr. Gray, 72 years of age, who was appointed by the Presbyterian Assembly to the charge of an outback mission, was presented with a oar, but was faced with the difficulty of being unable to pilot it. Undismayed, he discarded his Clerical attire, and donning blues joined a garage staff, mixing up as an ordinary workman fo r a fortnight, at the end of which he was able to drive the car to the mission. MOTOR REGULATIONS IN CANADA In a phamphlet issued in Ottawa governing travelling on roads, streets and bridges, are many regulations that might well be copied by other countries. They were drawn up in the public interest, and the authorities ask the co-operation and assistance of the public in carrying them blit. They state inter alia, that “mountainous roads demand greater precautions for general safety.” A few of special interest are quoted beliw — Motor Vehicle to /be Operated at Reasonable Speed. 12. (a) No person shall operate ■ a motor vehicle on a road recklessly or negligently or in a manner which is dangerous to the public or at a greater speed than is reasonable and proper, having regard to the traffic and use of the highway, or so as to endanger or be likely to endanger the life or limb

of any person or the safety of any property, provided that in no case shall a person operate a motor vehicle within a park at a greater speed than twenty-five (25) miles per hour. Speed Approaching Bridges, Dangerous Grades, etc-. 15. U)x>n approaching a street intersection, curve, bridge, culvert, or steep descent and also traversing such intersections, curve, bridge, culvert or steep descent, a person operating a motor venicle must have tne machine under control and operate it at a rate of speed not exceeding eight *8) nines per hour j and upon approaching a section of road upon which there is at the time a heavy traffic, at a speed not greater than ten (10) miles per hour. Pedestrians or Horses to Have Plight of Way. 16. The owner or person or persons in char t e of u motor vehicle when meeting any pedsetrian, person or persons riding on horseback or driving in any vehicle'.drawn by a horse or horses, at any road crossing shall give the pedestrian, person or persons so riding ou horseback or driving in any vehicle drawn by horse or horses first choice to the light of way ; provided however, tiiat such motor vehicle shall not he required to await the arrival of any such person at such crossing. Crossing Bridges.

17. (a) No driver of a motor vehicle shall enter upon any bridge while there is a horse crossing such a bridge, except when such motor vehicle is following such horse; and no driver of a motor vehicle shall, while following such horse on a bridge attempt to pass such horse; nor shall he'approach such horse in a witv that may frighten same.

(b) No driver of a horse or horses shall enter upon any bridge while there is a motor vehicle crossing such bridge, except when such a horse or horses are following such motor vehicle; and no driver of a horse or horses shall, while following such motor vehicle on a bridge attempt to pass such motor vehicle.

Motor Vehicle to Keep to Outside. 18. Notwithstanding any regulations governing travelling on roads and bridges in a park, the person operating a motor vehicle on any section of road constructed along the side of any hill or mountain must keep to the outside of the road when meeting or passing pedestrians, horses or horsedrawn vehicles so that all. pedestrians, horses or horse-drawn vehicles may pass along that portion of the road adjacent to the cut bank.